New Soldier
by Pinkcat4569
Rating: T
Spoilers: Not really
Description: The ARC had a new soldier. She's experienced, deadly but sweet, and model-like gorgeous. Becker was always worried about new soldiers disrupting established relationships. Jess, however, was unprepared.
Disclaimer: I don't own Primeval or the characters, and write completely for fun.
Author's Note: Before fine-tuning, this baby is over 10,000 words long. Read at your own risk.
New Soldier, Chapter One
Becker was always worried when a new soldier joined. This was a transfer, so he wasn't specifically worried about their safety, but about the established rhythm between he and his soldiers. Anyone new, no matter how good, was a disruption.
"So, anything jump out at you?" asked Jess.
"What do you mean?" asked Becker, reading.
"The CV, does anything impress or worry you?"
"No, It's pretty standard."
Jess scoffed. "Standard, he says. Sargent Nicole Bilson was top of her class at Sandhurst, made Sargent in just under a year, certified on nearly as many arms as you, trained in judo, and still manages to look like a super-model. I'm impressed."
Becker smirked. "Sounds like you want to ask her out."
"Ha, ha. I'm just happy to have another kick-but woman around to even up the numbers."
"It doesn't matter to me if a soldier is male or female, as long as the job gets done."
She bit her lip, and looked around the room nervously.
"What is it, Jess? You're doing your 'I want to say something, but don't know how' dance."
"I am not. I don't have one of those. Stop smirking! Fine, I just hope she isn't a distraction to you, er, anyone." Jess sighed. "She's very, very pretty."
Becker looked quickly to the CV. He didn't want to seem too interested in Jess' suggestion.
"We'll be fine. We've had attractive soldiers before."
She smiled, uneasily. "Of course. It's just that you'll be working together, and well, you're kind of easy to crush...on."
Becker felt the smile break out on his face. "It'll be fine. We're all professionals," he said trying to keep his tone distracted and disinterested. It was hard feigning disinterest when Jess was around.
"Right, of course," she said, turning back to the ADD.
Becker looked up at her retreating form, and silently chuckled.
A few minutes passed and Becker heard Jess call his name.
He looked up to see Jess standing with a tall, 6 foot, blond woman. Her long hair was tied back in a ponytail against her neck and back. She was very fit, and the uniform showed it off nicely. Her cool blue eyes were streaked with gray . She was gorgeous.
Becker greeted her as if he had not noticed. "Bilson?"
"Yes, sir," she said, clicking her heels and saluting.
Becker returned the salute and said, "At ease."
"You've been briefed on the uniqueness of this post?"
"Yes sir."
"And what are your thoughts?"
"Sir?"
Becker smiled. "I know what you were told, Sargent, I want your honest reaction."
Bilson grimaced. "Very well. In all honesty, sir. It sounds like rubbish. I mean no disrespect, but it is hard to believe."
Jess grinned, so did Becker. "Good, then your not stupid or a butt-kisser. Jess, have you got the lieutenant fixed up?"
"Yep, she's got her bracelet, and computer access codes."
"Good. Bilson, with me. See you later, Jess."
"See you later. Welcome to the ARC, Sargent."
"Thank you," she said, returning Jess' pleasant smile. She looked around as Becker led her out, wondering what she'd been let in to.
Lieutenant Vale, the young easy-going, gorgeous third in command was given the task of showing Bilson around.
"Here's the armory, let's go say hi to Carly, that's Sargent Carlson, he watches over the guns, keeps them ready to use, and other boring things."
Carly was polishing gun shotgun.
"Sargent Carlson, say hello to Sargent Bilson."
Carly put the gun down, and stood up, shaking her hand. "Nice to meet you, ma'am."
"You too, Sargent. I look forward to working with you."
"Me too, though I don't go out into the field much. Still, I'll be here, making sure your guns work for you when you need them."
"I'd appreciate that," said Bilson with a grin.
"Carly's the best. We use different guns, but Carly keeps the traditional ones running."
"It would break the Captain's heart to see these babies rusted and abandoned."
Bilson nodded. "It would be a shame. I've always thought gunsmiths were just another type of artists. Sometimes their genius is taken for granted."
Carlson smiled. "I like you."
They walked into the canteen during off hours, but it was pretty packed.
Vale sniffed the air. "Oh, man," he chuckled. "Bernie's baking his peach scones. Now we have to stay long enough to get some. Becker's gonna have to understand."
Bilson met a man in his fifties, with a huge smile, and twinkling eyes. He was introduced as Chef Bernie Rice, and his large stomach testified that he loved food.
Bernie smiled at the new sergeant, "Let me know if I can do anything to make you feel more welcome."
"This scone will do. It's delicious," said Bilson
"Bernie's awesome, and not only with cooking."
"That's kind of you Lieutenant."
"It's sad, Bernie, but we can't stay here all day eating," said Vale.
"Yes, very sad," said Bernie. "I hope to see you soon, Sargent."
"Thank you. If you cook everything as good as these, I'll be back frequently."
Bernie smiled.
Vale and Bilson continued their tour. "This brings us to the women's locker room. I'd show you inside, but I've been banned.
Bilson laughed. "You're not laughing. You're serious?"
Bilson grinned. "Oh yeah, but it was worth it."
A petite young woman came down the hall. Soon Bilson recognized her as Jess, the computer expert.
"Hi Vale, Sargent. How is your first day going?"
"It's going well, thank you."
Vale smiled. "That's because she hasn't started training yet. Captain Becker's training takes a bit of getting used to."
Jess frowned. "Don't scare her." Then she turned to Bilson, and said, " Becker is the best leader and soldier you'll ever meet. We both," and she gestured to herself and Vale, "owe our lives to him. He is fair, kind, capable, and brilliant."
Jess realized they were both staring at her. She went pale. Why did she have to blurt things out?
Vale smiled. "In case you hadn't guessed, Miss Parker is quite fond of the Captain."
Jess blushed. "You're in good hands, Sargent Bilson. That's all I wanted to say."
Bilson smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate it. I've heard about his discipline and his expectations. I've heard he's tough."
Vale smirked, and Jess glared at him.
"It wasn't me, Jess. Promise."
Jess smiled and shook her head. "Come on, Sargent, let me get you a locker." She looked at Vale.
"Stay," she ordered, and the women went inside.
Jess gave Bilson an empty locker. "Let me know if I can help in anyway."
"That's kind of you. Thanks."
Jess smiled and went to her own locker. Bilson didn't mean to peak, but she couldn't help noticing the shoe rack inside Jess' locker filled with designer shoes.
"I'm glad I'm not the only shoe fanatic," said Bilson. "I can't help it. I love shoes."
Jess smiled. "Me too. I take a lot of ribbing for these heels. I just don't understand the fuss. New shoes are like..."
"A nice warm bath with new bath gel."
"Oh my gosh! Yes! Exactly!" cried Jess.
Bilson giggled, and Jess invited her over to her locker to look at the shoes.
"You have some nice ones here. I'm jealous," she said.
"I pay for them, and I don't just mean money. Everyday Becker makes some comment about my 'ridiculous' heels."
Bilson smiled. "What's he like?"
Jess blushed. "He's, well, I'm not a soldier, so maybe he's different with me. He's a tease, but he is sweet. He's deadly. I've seen him kill with his bare hands. I've also seen him be incredibly gentle." Jess paused for a minute. "I like him, but I guess that's obvious. We're just friends, though."
Bilson laughed. "Yeah, I got that before."
Jess blushed again. "Well, I have loads to do. I hope I see you again, soon, Sargent."
"Yeah, me too. Oh, you can call me Nicole, if you like."
"Thank you. Please call me Jess. See you later, Nicole."
"Bye, Jess."
Bilson laid on the mat, gasping. He had her pinned by his knee, his hands against her throat. She was at his mercy, so she gave up, and went limp.
Becker smiled. "It was a good try, Bilson, better than most."
She felt him relax his hold, ever so slightly. It was enough. She grabbed what air she could in three seconds, and then she back kicked him as hard as she could.
Becker yelled, and tumbled back, and Bilson pounced on him, delivering a blow to his neck. She had him.
"Do you yield?"
Becker laughed. "Yeah. I correct myself. Excellent try, Sargent. Excellent."
She smiled and offered her hand. To her surprise, he took it. She helped him up.
Bilson saw smirks on the rest of the soldiers' faces. She didn't know how the captain would take this.
"Well, go on," he said turning to the men. "I know you want to, so go on."
"Whoo-hoo! That was fantastic!"'
"Captain's never lost hand-to-hand. Wow!"
"We're keeping her right?"
Bilson smiled, and Becker chuckled.
"I think that's enough," said Becker. "And we don't keep people, Lieutenant Vale."
Vale smirked. "Just a suggestion, Capt."
"OK, entertainment's done. To your posts everyone," said Becker. "Bilson, let me introduce you to an EMD."
Bilson nodded and followed him.
"Ten pounds says he accidentally shoots her," said Vale.
Flowers laughed. "No way. Of course, he's accidentally going to shoot her. You saw her take him down."
In the armory, Carly happily lectured about the EMD.
"Not my favorite, of course. There's something primal about the blast of a gun and the smell of gunpowder. These EMDs, are of course efficient and more humane, but give me a double aught shotgun any day."
Becker smiled.
Bilson took the small EMD and fired it.
"These really work?"
"Yeah. Trust me, there unlike any taser you've ever seen," said Becker, "and to prove that there are no hard feelings over you beating me in hand to hand, I'm not even going to shoot you with one."
"Wait. She beat you in hand to hand combat, seriously?" asked Carlson. He turned to Bilson. "May I shake your hand?"
Bilson giggled. "It wasn't a big deal."
Carlson scoffed, then looked at Becker. "I have...gun stuff to do. Excuse me."
"Alright, Bilson, think you're ready to go to work?"
"Yes sir."
"The menagerie has a new arrival coming in. Let's break you in on an unloading, shall we?"
End of first chapter